Mr Mathamzima Mweli, Director-General of Basic Education, has been continuing his Learner Support Programme across various education districts to ensure that the Class of 2026 receives the adequate academic support required to improve their learning outcomes during the 2026 academic year. Mr Mweli engaged with education districts in the Gauteng Province this week. The programme is set to proceed to the Western Cape Province next week where he will cover the three remaining districts. During these visits, Mr Mweli visits ten schools a day to motivate the Class of 2026 to remain focussed and dedicated to outperforming the Class of 2025. 

As part of the Director-General's visit, education districts reported that the visits have inspired them to become more data driven, especially in support of struggling schools and learners in both the Senior and Further Education and Training (FET) Phases. Education districts were advised to use learner profiles to widen access to the accommodation and concession policy to provide learners who encounter learning barriers differentiated intervention support. The introduction of vocational education across all education districts was also flagged as a critical initiative requiring urgent attention. Another matter during the discussions was the recruitment of specialists for Early Childhood Development (ECD) to improve effective foundational learning.

All the districts visited so far were advised to improve their performance in Home Languages, Mathematics and Physical Science. They are also expected to increase the number of learners offering technical subjects. In addition, learners were encouraged to consider the Technical, Occupational and Vocational Stream to make a significant contribution to the development of the economy. These sessions bring district leadership together to strengthen collaboration, reflect on system performance, and align priorities that drive quality teaching and learning at classroom level.